oboeguy

During today's Ramapo Rally century, I had the most bizarre interaction with a driver, errr, a car. I was leading my little group of friends and a couple of other riders who latched on to us for a while down an incline, spotted a road marking for a left turn on the century route, and signalled with my left arm so that my riding companions and any auto traffic would know what to expect. Well, I should say I tried to signal, because as my arm started to go out, it hit something. I thought it was one of my riding friends coming up to fast for the turn, but no, it was a car that passed me at high speed (remember I was going downhill so was rolling pretty fast to begin with), inches from my handlebars. That's the second high speed buzzing I've experienced this week (the other was documented in the Commuting forum ). After cursing out the driver and flipping the bird (it felt good) all I could do was laugh, and start thinking about writing it up on BF.

Anyhow, the Ramapo Rally was fun! For the most part, the route was exceptionally well-marked, although some stretches had ever-so-recently been repaved, thus lacked markers and required heavy turnsheet consultation. The rest stops were well stocked (brownies, cookies and nutella, oh my!) and even had good music playing. My two friends and I completed the hilly 100+ mile course with a couple of "bonus miles" from a wrong turn in about 6:30 hours of ride time, IIRC. When I say "hilly", I mean "lots of short, steep leg breakers" not "extended climbs". Having ridden a brevet populaire together for time a few weeks ago, we were out to have fun and enjoy the ride today, though for a couple of long streches on the last half we had a nice little paceline going to beat some nasty headwinds. My main complaint is that the route had soooo many turns as it meandered through suburban NJ. OTOH, what can one expect in such a setting? and anyhow sections of the route were quite pretty. The unexpected bonus we received at the end of the ride was a display of cycling goods for sale from the Piermont Bicycle Connection (great shop in, duh, Piermont, NY) all at half price. The three of us made out like bandits. Overall, it was a great way to spend a Sunday on the bike with a couple of friends.

JayC

I really dont see how people can ride without a mirror. I feel naked without one.

I rode with a LARGE group yesterday and I think I was the only person with a mirror. Call me crazy but I really like seeing the cars coming so I know whether or not I need to get the hell out of the way.

oboeguy

LOL, I DO ride with a mirror but the manuever by the idiot driver was so sudden and unexpected that I didn't see it coming, despite the trusty Take-a-Look. Remember, I was leading so was looking for road markings, and my ride partners may have yelled "car back" as they generally would in such a situation but I didn't hear it over the rush of the wind if they did.

Corsaire

Indeed, that has been the main complaint on this year's Ramapo Rally among the locals: the so many turns and the rather tamed course, by tamed I mean not quite hilly as previous years where it took us into Harriman State Pk and other known good long hills up here in Norhthern Jersey. So much that a group from the organizing club decided to do their own century route (asa protest, maybe?) including parts of New York (Storm King, Harriman, etc.)
All in all, a well organized ride, loved the sanwidches, muffins, and fruit galore.
Corsaire

voltman

You could try turning your head?

cc_rider

Sounds like it was fun.
I grew up biking the roads from Mahawah to Paramus. Long time ago.
Out of curiosity, is the cue sheet posted on line someplace?

Corsaire

Not that I know of. But you wouldn't be impressed, many times we felt like we were
going around in circles, but actually we were!
Hopefully they'll change the route next year to something with, at least, not so many turns.

Corsaire

JayC

Im too old for that. When you get old, you cant turn your neck as far anymore. Being old sucks.